Senior Process Engineer – Electrochemical Reagent Generation

About the role

Lilac is seeking aSenior Process Engineer –ElectrochemicalReagent Generationto own the technical evaluation, development, optimization, and integration of reagent generation technologies, including bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPED), chlor-alkali, electrolysis, and other potential acid/base generation systems.

This role will serve as Lilac’s in-house technicalleadfor reagent generation and willbe responsible foradvancing these technologies from laboratory testing and vendor evaluation through pilot- and demonstration-scale process design andultimately commercial-scaledeployment.

This is a highly collaborative and hands-on position working across Technology, Engineering, Projects, and Operations to develop and deploy reagent generation solutions within Lilac’s overall process flowsheet.This is a full-time position with up to 25% domestic and international travel to pilot and project sites.

What you'll do

Process Development, Integration & Experimental Work

• Design and execute laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments to characterize andoptimizereagent generation systems.

• Develop a fundamental understanding of key equipment and operating tradeoffs, including reagent concentration, efficiency, energy consumption,membranelifetimeand equipment performance.

• Translate experimental findings into equipment requirements, operating parameters, and design criteria for pilot- and demonstration-scale systems.

• Evaluate interactions with upstream and downstream unit operations, including reagent storage,recyclestreams, utilities, water balance, and waste streams.

Vendor Evaluation & Technical Due Diligence

• Lead technical evaluationand due diligenceof reagentgenerationtechnologies andequipment suppliers.

• Critically assess vendor proposals, process designs, performance guarantees, equipment scope, and operating assumptions.

• Normalize vendor quotations to enable meaningful comparisons across technologies and suppliers.

• Develop structured technical recommendations for technology and vendor selection.

Technoeconomic Analysis

• Develop andmaintainCAPEX and OPEX models for reagent generation systems.

• Evaluate technoeconomic tradeoffs between technologies, vendors, system configurations, operating conditions, and integration strategies.

• Workcross-functionallytoidentifyreagent generation solutions that provide the best combination of cost, efficiency, reliability, and operability.

Scale-up & Deployment

• Support the design, commissioning, and operation of pilot- and demonstration-scale reagent generation systems.

• Troubleshoot equipment and process performance in collaboration with vendors and internalteams.

• Translate operating experience into improved equipment specifications, design criteria, and operating strategies.

• Develop the technical basis for eventual commercial-scale deployment.

Team Contribution

• Operate with a team-first mindsetand contribute beyond reagent generation when projectsrequireit.

• Work effectively acrossinternal teamsand external vendors.

• Be comfortable moving between hands-on experimental work, equipment troubleshooting,technical analysisand process design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering,materials science,chemistryor related field.

• Approximately 4-8years of relevant experience in electrochemical systems, membrane processes,process development, or related technologies.

• Hands-on experience with pilot-, demonstration-, or commercial-scaleelectrochemical, membrane,reagent generation, or relatedprocess equipment.

• Strong process engineering fundamentalsincluding process scale-up, equipment integration, and technoeconomic analysis.

• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Pass a respirator fit test periodically, occasionally stand for up to 8 hours per day, occasionally move up to 50 lbs, and wear PPE.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with BPED/BMED, electrodialysis, chlor-alkali, electrolysis, or other reagent generation technologies.

• Experiencescaling new process technologies from laboratory through pilot, demonstration, or commercial deployment.

• Experience with high-TDS brinesor concentrated electrolytes.

• Experience in lithium processing, DLE, brine processing, or other critical minerals applications.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation for this role is based on relevant experience, skills, and overall fit for the role. The range provided represents our typical compensation for this position, though actual pay may fall outside this range depending on qualifications.

• Annual base salary of $135,000 - $175,000
• Discretionary bonus
• Stock options
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401k with pre- and post-tax investing options
• Flexible spendings account/Health savings account
• Group and term life
• Flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Monthly phone stipend